Posted By: Suzanne
Women's Health Problems - 10/15/10 01:40 AM
Foods That Halt Endometriosis
Loading up on produce instead of meat at the market may slash your risk of endometriosis--the painful migration of uterine lining into your abdomen and a major cause of infertility. Italian researchers who studied 1,000 women, half with endometriosis, found that eating 2 servings of fruit and 2 of green veggies cut endometriosis risk by 40% and 70% respectively, compared with eating less than one serving of each per day.
On the other hand, eating red meat daily and ham 3 times weekly or more upped risk by 80% and 100% respectively, compared with eating none. --Prevention, January 2005
Suzanne
Posted By: Suzanne
Re: Women's Health Problems - 10/20/10 02:22 AM
Heart Disease in Women
Older women who eat a large amount of protein from red meat or dairy products may have an elevated risk of dying from heart disease, according to a large study. Accordingly, researchers call into question the long-term safety of high-protein diets that call for an abundance of animal protein.
The investigators found that among more than 29,000 postmenopausal women, those who reported the highest intake of protein from red meat and dairy products had a 40% higher risk of dying from heart disease over the next 15 years compared with women with the lowest intake of these foods.
The risk seems to stem from the protein itself, according to lead author Dr. Linda E Kelemen, because her group considered the subjects' overall diet--including intake of fat, fiber and total calories--and factors such as exercise, smoking and body weight.
High-protein and fatty foods, of course are staples of Atkins-style diets that shun carbohydrates such as bread and pasta. While these diets have been shown to spur weight loss and dips in blood cholesterol in the short term, many experts worry that if people stick with such a regimen over time, it could spell trouble for the blood vessels and the heart.
Dr. Keleman, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota, emphasizes that "not all proteins are equal." Indeed the study indicated that women with the highest intakes of vegetable protein sources, such as beans, nuts, tofu and peanut butter, had a 30% lower risk of heart disease death than women with the lowest intakes.
In contrast, the findings indicate that a woman who opts for 2 servings of red meat every day instead of a similar number of calories from complex carbs would have a 44% higher risk of dying from heart disease over the next 15 years. A similar pattern emerged when the researchers looked at dairy foods, including milk, cream, ice cream, yogurt and cheese.
Dr. Keleman also noted that in animal research, protein from animal sources, independent of fat and cholesterol content, can promote artery-clogging plaques. Soy protein, on the other hand, showed no such effects. --Source: American Journal of Epidemiology, February 1, 2005.
Suzanne
Posted By: Suzanne
Re: Women's Health Problems - 10/20/10 02:37 AM
Spotlight on Women's Hearts
A woman's heart is many things--passionate, loyal, fierce, determined, fiery, fickle, steadfast, complicated and devoted--but more often than not, totally unaware of when it's suffering from heart disease.
Every year, nearly 9 million women--many oblivious to warning signs and slow to seek treatment--succumb to heart disease. Family and friends left behind are often perplexed because the first sign of trouble can often be a fatal heart attack. That's why WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women With Heart Disease is tirelessly promoting public awareness to combat heart disease, the leading cause of death in women, and to support the 41 million American women living with or at risk for heart disease.
Almost twice as many women in the U.S. die of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases instead of cancer. Heart disease is typically a much sneakier, silent killer, but the risk is always present if a woman smokes, has high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood fats, or does not exercise.
WomenHeart recently teamed with PAD Coalition to launch a national effort to inform women about the risk for peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and what they can do to prevent or treat the disease. Also, the campaign focused on educating women about PAD symptoms such as claudication, which are cramps, tiredness or pain in the legs, thighs and buttocks that occurs when walking. Foot or toe pain that disturbs sleep and slow-healing skin ulcers or wounds on the feet or toes are also a cause for concern.
"Heart disease can be precursor to PAD and vice versa," explained Lisa Clough, director of communications for WomenHeart. "If a woman has blockages in one part of the body, chances are she may have them in other places as well."
WomenHeart rallies behind those already living with heart disease by selecting 60-70 women each year to attend the WomenHeart Science & leadership Symposium at the Mayo Clinic. Upon completion of 4 days of intensive training, these women become "WomenHeart Champions" and can use their knowledge and experience to educate others back home. This network of women living with heart disease is exclusive to WomenHeart, which is the only national patient-centered organizaion devoted to supporting women with heart disease. --Extraordinary Health, Vol. 8, 2010.
Suzanne